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Iranian General Mocks Gulf Antimissile Aspirations

The head of the Iranian army on Tuesday derided as "fantasies" any attempt by an outside nation to establish a missile shield for the Persian Gulf region, the Trend News Agency reported (see GSN, April 12).

"These are all empty promises, as all this plan is intended to do is spend money of the neighboring countries," Gen. Ataollah Salehi said on Iranian National Army Day.

High-level U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have recently discussed the potential for missile defense collaboration with friendly Gulf states. Assistant Defense Secretary Madelyn Creedon last month said the Obama administration would like to establish ballistic missile defenses in the Middle East akin to the shield being developed for Europe, according to previous reporting.

Officials with the Gulf Cooperation Council -- whichs consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- have in statements this month suggested support for such cooperation.

Washington and Gulf governments are keeping a close watch on Iran's growing ballistic missile capabilities and its contested nuclear program (see related GSN story, today; Trend News Agency, April 17).

April 17, 2012

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The head of the Iranian army on Tuesday derided as "fantasies" any attempt by an outside nation to establish a missile shield for the Persian Gulf region, the Trend News Agency reported.